He admits they "can't afford to play catch-up" with the Blue Square Premier rivals after the first few weeks of the season.

Last term Diamonds got stuck in the bottom half of the table. Now Hill expects to challenge for a play-off place, starting with maximum points at newly-promoted Eastbourne Borough.

He said: "I've set targets in my own mind to make sure we are up and
running straight away.

"There's not too much between these sides in a competitive league. We have to make a positive start.

"I want to see us up in the pack after the first eight to 10 games. But that won't be easy.

"It's always hard going to play a team like Eastbourne who have just come up.

"Then we're back home against Ebbsfleet, who won the FA Trophy, and Wrexham coming out of the Football League as they look to bounce back.

"After that it's a trip to our neighbours Kettering Town when we will need tin hats! So it's going to be hard to pick up points early on.

"Come 3pm tomorrow, though, we will be ready.

"The last few seasons here haven't been good enough. The supporters haven't been given anything to cheer about.

"As far as I'm concerned we've got to be in the play-off area and also have a good cup run. Those are our aims, no doubt about it."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's game on the Sussex coast, the Diamonds boss admitted: "It's a potential banana skin for us.

"All credit to Eastbourne and their manager Garry Wilson who I know well. I'm aware that it's a very hard place to go and get a result.

"They have come up for the first time in the Conference and there will be a lot of support behind them. They will certainly be aiming to continue last year's success through adrenalin because the club is on a high.

"But I believe, whatever team I put out, we will be capable of getting a win."

Hill is also hoping to sign at least one striker, possibly in time to join the 18-man squad heading south for tomorrow's game.

He added: "We are going in the right direction. But there's still room for improvement in the squad.

"One or two might move on to bring others in. It doesn't matter to me whethere players have been here for six weeks, six months or six years.

"If another player becomes available who can benefit the team then we've got to do it."

Defender Justyn Roberts has signed non-contract terms and looks set to earn a short-term deal following his pre-season trial.

However striker Michael Rankine may miss out after taking a knock during the send half of the final pre-season friendly against a Tottenham Hotspur XI.